The Edo State Government has marked the residence of House of Representatives member, Hon. Marcus Onobun, for demolition over allegations of hosting cult-related activities at his home.
BenriNews gathered that the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly allegedly convened a meeting of cultists at his residence, which reportedly turned violent. The allegations come amid renewed cult-related violence in the Iruekpen community in Esan West Local Government Area, where several individuals reportedly sustained various degrees of injuries.
Onobun, the only People's Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Edo State in the National Assembly, denied the claims on Sunday, June 9, 2025. He insisted the allegations were false, unfounded, and politically motivated to damage his reputation.
"Let it be on record that from reliable sources, I am informed that the clash arose between two indigenes of the Iruekpen community at a brothel within the cattle market and not anywhere close to my residence," he stated.
Despite his denials, state government officials on Tuesday proceeded to mark the lawmaker's residence for demolition.
Lawmaker Challenges Government Action
Responding to the planned demolition, Onobun described the move as illegal and challenged the government to provide evidence supporting their allegations.
"Nobody wrote me officially. No investigation and no court pronouncement. What we are seeing in Edo State is a law that is clearly targeted at opposition members," he said.
"If you feel I have what you don't have in your party, and you want my support, you should be able to persuade me," the lawmaker added.
Onobun also recalled similar incidents where properties belonging to other PDP members were marked for demolition, including the hotel of the PDP governorship campaign director general, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, and the residence of another party leader, Chief Francis Inegbineki.
This development highlights growing tensions between the state government and opposition figures in Edo State as political activities intensify.
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